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Jörgen Thornberg
On the way to the hairdresser's on Friday the 13th, 2023
Digital
50 x 70 cm
3 200 kr
The picture swarms with bad omens. Walking under a ladder is never a good idea, and doing so on the way to the hairdresser's on Friday the thirteenth is a definite no-no, according to some. The woman is reflected in a cracked mirror; to top it off, she's about to step on a banana peel. The black cat that crossed her path is certainly not a good sign. In the bookstore window she passes, dangerous books are on display today – a book about owls is not good, neither is spilling salt and walking with an open umbrella inside a church is downright reprehensible. If she makes it to her hairdresser's, we must have gotten the day wrong.
People who believe in supernatural phenomena, unlucky dates, spit after black cats, and other similar superstitions we call superstitious. They can also be described as individuals with a belief in the supernatural. But of course, to be on the safe side, it might be best to spit after that black cat and walk around the ladder. If nothing terrible happens, the superstitious might have been right.
Ah, Friday the 13th, that spine-tingling date that makes even the most rational among us glance nervously over our shoulders. It's a day steeped in superstition and dread, with obscure origins that make a detective's job look like child's play. But fear not, my brave companions, for in this tale, we shall embark on a merry jaunt through the murky depths of Friday the 13th lore.
Let's kick off with a classic: the Last Supper saga. Legend has it that Jesus and his merry band of disciples totalled 13 at the dinner table, with Judas Iscariot stealing the 13th spot. And we all know how that betrayal story ended – not exactly a confidence booster for future Friday the 13th.
Then there's the historical rabbit hole of Friday, October 13, 1307, when King Philip IV of France decided it was a splendid idea to round up a bunch of Knights Templar. Talk about a royal buzzkill! Some folks reckon this medieval roundup is the root cause of our Friday the 13th jitters, but who can say for sure?
But wait, there's more! Enter numerology, stage left. While the number 12 struts around town like the belle of the ball, symbolising perfection and harmony, its unruly sibling, 13, crashes the party like a bull in a china shop. It's the disrupter of peace, the harbinger of chaos, the party pooper extraordinaire.
Let's not forget our old pal pop culture, stirring the cauldron of fear with its iconic "Friday the 13th" horror flicks. Nothing says "good night's sleep" like a masked maniac chasing you down on the unluckiest day of the year, right?
But wait, there's more to the superstition stew! Triskaidekaphobia, the fear of the number 13, adds an extra sprinkle of spice to the mix, just in case we weren't jittery enough. And let's not overlook the global gumbo of unlucky numbers and days, where cultures serve up their unique blends of dread, from China's unlucky number 4 to Japan's unlucky number 9.
Fear not for those of you craving a smidgen of sanity in this chaos. Science, that bastion of reason, assures us there's nothing to fear on Friday the 13th – statistically speaking, at least—no uptick in accidents, no spike in misfortune, just another day in the calendar.
So, dear friends, if Friday the 13th sends a shiver down your spine, fear not. Embrace the absurdity, challenge those pesky negative thoughts, and remember – it's all just a superstition, a ghost story whispered in the dark. But if your fears linger like a stubborn spectre, seek solace in the wise words of a therapist. After all, even the bravest of souls could use a helping hand now and then.
When some wake up and realise it's Friday the 13th, they dive back under the covers and pull the pillow over their heads. "Oh no, everything is going to go wrong today!" Some people are like that and don’t get out of bed or leave their houses all day.
Many hotels do not have a 13th floor, and streets don't have a number 13; instead, they prefer to add an A or B after the number 12. The reasons for ducking out of sight on Friday the 13th can range from battles between mythological gods to Adam and Eve being cast out of the Garden of Eden on Friday. Psychologists say that sometimes it is easier for people to blame the bad things that happen to them on bad luck or bad days rather than take responsibility for their choices or accept that bad things happen to many people.
Have you heard about the diligent and determined bricklayer setting out for a routine day at work? But it seems life had a different script in mind because he had assumed it was the 13th. Life, with its twists and turns, often surprises us when we least expect it.
Upon arriving at the site, he discovered the aftermath of a ferocious hurricane, scattering bricks like leaves in the wind. Undeterred, he ascended to the rooftop to assess the damage and make repairs.
With the skill of a seasoned craftsman, he rigged up a makeshift pulley system to hoist barrels of bricks to the rooftop. Yet, as he released the line, disaster struck. The barrel's weight overwhelmed him, causing it to plummet earthward with alarming speed, jerking him upwards in a dangerous dance.
Desperately clinging to the line, he was propelled skyward, but not without consequence—mid-ascent, he collided with the descending barrel, the impact sending shockwaves of pain through his body.
Despite the injuries and the relentless challenges, he doesn't give up. He continues to navigate the dangerous path to the top. But even at the summit, danger still lurks. His descent is marred by further mishaps—a collision with the falling barrel and a tumble amidst a cascade of bricks.
Bruised and battered, he found himself on the ground, nursing painful wounds and reflecting on the chain of events that led to his predicament. It was indeed the 13th, but a Monday.
This tale serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of human endeavour in the face of unforeseen challenges. It underscores that even the most routine tasks can carry inherent risks. It's a call for vigilance and caution in pursuing safety and well-being.
So, it’s OK to get out of bed, and if something goes wrong, you can do what Norman Vincent Peale, minister and author of the book, “The Power of Positive Thinking,” does. Peale said that he always does three things when something goes wrong: writes down precisely what is wrong, decides whether he can do anything about it, and then makes a plan. His approach reminds me of the Serenity prayer that first appeared in the New York Herald Tribune in 1942. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Jörgen Thornberg
On the way to the hairdresser's on Friday the 13th, 2023
Digital
50 x 70 cm
3 200 kr
The picture swarms with bad omens. Walking under a ladder is never a good idea, and doing so on the way to the hairdresser's on Friday the thirteenth is a definite no-no, according to some. The woman is reflected in a cracked mirror; to top it off, she's about to step on a banana peel. The black cat that crossed her path is certainly not a good sign. In the bookstore window she passes, dangerous books are on display today – a book about owls is not good, neither is spilling salt and walking with an open umbrella inside a church is downright reprehensible. If she makes it to her hairdresser's, we must have gotten the day wrong.
People who believe in supernatural phenomena, unlucky dates, spit after black cats, and other similar superstitions we call superstitious. They can also be described as individuals with a belief in the supernatural. But of course, to be on the safe side, it might be best to spit after that black cat and walk around the ladder. If nothing terrible happens, the superstitious might have been right.
Ah, Friday the 13th, that spine-tingling date that makes even the most rational among us glance nervously over our shoulders. It's a day steeped in superstition and dread, with obscure origins that make a detective's job look like child's play. But fear not, my brave companions, for in this tale, we shall embark on a merry jaunt through the murky depths of Friday the 13th lore.
Let's kick off with a classic: the Last Supper saga. Legend has it that Jesus and his merry band of disciples totalled 13 at the dinner table, with Judas Iscariot stealing the 13th spot. And we all know how that betrayal story ended – not exactly a confidence booster for future Friday the 13th.
Then there's the historical rabbit hole of Friday, October 13, 1307, when King Philip IV of France decided it was a splendid idea to round up a bunch of Knights Templar. Talk about a royal buzzkill! Some folks reckon this medieval roundup is the root cause of our Friday the 13th jitters, but who can say for sure?
But wait, there's more! Enter numerology, stage left. While the number 12 struts around town like the belle of the ball, symbolising perfection and harmony, its unruly sibling, 13, crashes the party like a bull in a china shop. It's the disrupter of peace, the harbinger of chaos, the party pooper extraordinaire.
Let's not forget our old pal pop culture, stirring the cauldron of fear with its iconic "Friday the 13th" horror flicks. Nothing says "good night's sleep" like a masked maniac chasing you down on the unluckiest day of the year, right?
But wait, there's more to the superstition stew! Triskaidekaphobia, the fear of the number 13, adds an extra sprinkle of spice to the mix, just in case we weren't jittery enough. And let's not overlook the global gumbo of unlucky numbers and days, where cultures serve up their unique blends of dread, from China's unlucky number 4 to Japan's unlucky number 9.
Fear not for those of you craving a smidgen of sanity in this chaos. Science, that bastion of reason, assures us there's nothing to fear on Friday the 13th – statistically speaking, at least—no uptick in accidents, no spike in misfortune, just another day in the calendar.
So, dear friends, if Friday the 13th sends a shiver down your spine, fear not. Embrace the absurdity, challenge those pesky negative thoughts, and remember – it's all just a superstition, a ghost story whispered in the dark. But if your fears linger like a stubborn spectre, seek solace in the wise words of a therapist. After all, even the bravest of souls could use a helping hand now and then.
When some wake up and realise it's Friday the 13th, they dive back under the covers and pull the pillow over their heads. "Oh no, everything is going to go wrong today!" Some people are like that and don’t get out of bed or leave their houses all day.
Many hotels do not have a 13th floor, and streets don't have a number 13; instead, they prefer to add an A or B after the number 12. The reasons for ducking out of sight on Friday the 13th can range from battles between mythological gods to Adam and Eve being cast out of the Garden of Eden on Friday. Psychologists say that sometimes it is easier for people to blame the bad things that happen to them on bad luck or bad days rather than take responsibility for their choices or accept that bad things happen to many people.
Have you heard about the diligent and determined bricklayer setting out for a routine day at work? But it seems life had a different script in mind because he had assumed it was the 13th. Life, with its twists and turns, often surprises us when we least expect it.
Upon arriving at the site, he discovered the aftermath of a ferocious hurricane, scattering bricks like leaves in the wind. Undeterred, he ascended to the rooftop to assess the damage and make repairs.
With the skill of a seasoned craftsman, he rigged up a makeshift pulley system to hoist barrels of bricks to the rooftop. Yet, as he released the line, disaster struck. The barrel's weight overwhelmed him, causing it to plummet earthward with alarming speed, jerking him upwards in a dangerous dance.
Desperately clinging to the line, he was propelled skyward, but not without consequence—mid-ascent, he collided with the descending barrel, the impact sending shockwaves of pain through his body.
Despite the injuries and the relentless challenges, he doesn't give up. He continues to navigate the dangerous path to the top. But even at the summit, danger still lurks. His descent is marred by further mishaps—a collision with the falling barrel and a tumble amidst a cascade of bricks.
Bruised and battered, he found himself on the ground, nursing painful wounds and reflecting on the chain of events that led to his predicament. It was indeed the 13th, but a Monday.
This tale serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of human endeavour in the face of unforeseen challenges. It underscores that even the most routine tasks can carry inherent risks. It's a call for vigilance and caution in pursuing safety and well-being.
So, it’s OK to get out of bed, and if something goes wrong, you can do what Norman Vincent Peale, minister and author of the book, “The Power of Positive Thinking,” does. Peale said that he always does three things when something goes wrong: writes down precisely what is wrong, decides whether he can do anything about it, and then makes a plan. His approach reminds me of the Serenity prayer that first appeared in the New York Herald Tribune in 1942. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
3 200 kr
Jörgen Thornberg
Malmö
Lite om bilder och mig. Translation in English at the end.
Jag är en nyfiken person som ser allt i bilder, även det jag fäster i ord, gärna tillsammans för bakom alla mina bilder finns en berättelse. Till vissa bilder hör en kortare eller längre novell som följer med bilden.
Bilder berättar historier. Jag omges av naturlig skönhet, intressanta människor och historia var jag än går. Jag använder min kamera för att dokumentera världen och blanda det jag ser med vad jag känner för att fånga den dolda magin.
Mina bilder berättar mina historier. Genom mina bilder, tryck och berättelser. Jag bjuder in dig att ta del av dessa berättelser, in i ditt liv och hem och dela min mycket personliga syn på vår värld. Mer än vad ögat ser. Jag tänker i bilder, drömmer och skriver och pratar om dem; följaktligen måste jag också skapa bilder. De blir vad jag ser, inte nödvändigtvis begränsade till verkligheten. Det finns en bild runt varje hörn. Jag hoppas att du kommer att se vad jag såg och gilla det.
Jag är också en skrivande person och till många bilder hör en kortare eller längre essay. Den följer med tavlan, tryckt på fint papper och med en personlig hälsning från mig.
Flertalet bilder startar sin resa i min kamera. Enkelt förklarat beskriver jag bilden jag ser i mitt inre, upplevd eller fantiserad. Bilden uppstår inom mig redan innan jag fått okularet till ögat. På bråkdelen av ett ögonblick ser jag vad jag vill ha och vad som kan göras med bilden. Här skall jag stoppa in en giraff, stålmannen, Titanic eller vad det är min fantasi finner ut. Ännu märkligare är att jag kommer ihåg minnesbilden långt efteråt när det blir tid att skapa verket. Om jag lyckas eller inte, är upp till betraktaren, oftast präglat av en stråk av svart humor – meningen är att man skall bli underhållen. Mina bilder blir ofta en snackis där de hänger.
Jag föredrar bilder som förmedlar ett budskap i flera lager. Vid första anblicken fylld av feel-good, en vacker utsikt, fint väder, solen skiner, blommor på ängen eller vattnet som ligger förrädiskt spegelblankt. I en sådan bild kan jag gömma min egentliga berättelse, mitt förakt för förtryckare och våldsverkare, rasister och fördomsfulla människor - ett gärna återkommande motiv mer eller mindre dolt i det vackra motivet. Jag försöker förena dem i ett gemensamt narrativ.
Bild och formgivning har löpt som en röd tråd genom livet. Fotokonst känns som en värdig final som jag gärna delar med mig.
Min genre är vid som framgår av mina bilder, temat en blandning av pop- och gatukonst i kollage som kan bestå av hundratals lager. Vissa bilder kan ta veckor, andra någon dag innan det är dags att överlämna resultatet till printverkstaden. Fine Art Prints är digitala fotocollage. I dessa kollage sker rivandet, klippandet, pusslandet, målandet, ritandet och sprayningen digitalt. Det jag monterar in kan vara hundratals år gamla bilder som jag omsorgsfullt frilägger så att de ser ut att vara en del av tavlan men också bilder skapade av mig själv efter min egen fantasi. Därefter besöks printstudion och för vissa bilder numrera en limiterad upplaga (oftast 7 exemplar) och signera för hand. Vissa bilder kan köpas i olika format. Det är bara att fråga efter vilka. Gillar man en bild som är 70x100 men inte har plats på väggen, går den kanske att få i 50x70 cm istället. Frågan är fri.
Metoden Giclée eller Fine Art Print som det också kallas är det moderna sättet för framställning av grafisk konst. Villkoret för denna typ av utskrifter är att en högkvalitativ storformatskrivare används med åldersbeständigt färgpigment och konstnärspapper eller i förekommande fall på duk. Pappret som används möter de krav på livslängd som ställs av museer och gallerier. Normalt säljer jag mina bilder oinramade så att den nya ägaren själv kan bestämma hur de skall se ut, med eller utan passepartout färg på ram, med eller utan glas etc..
Under många år ställde jag bara ut på nätet, i valda grupper och på min egen Facebooksida - https://www.facebook.com/jorgen.thornberg.9
Jag finns också på en egen hemsida som tyvärr inte alltid är uppdaterad – https://www.jth.life/ Där kan du också läsa en del av de berättelser som följer med bilden.
UTSTÄLLNINGAR
Luftkastellet, oktober 2022
Konst i Lund, november 2022
Luftkastellet, mars 2023
Engleson Galleri Caroli, april 2023
Hydra, Greece June 2023
Engleson Galleri Caroli, oktober 2023
Toppen, Höllviken december 2023
Luftkastellet, mars 2024
Torups Galleri, mars 2024
Venice, May 2024
Luftkastellet, oktober 2024
Konst i Advent, December 2024
Galleri Engleson, Caroli December 2024
Jäger & Jansson Galleri, april 2025
A bit about pictures and me.
I'm a curious person who sees everything in pictures, even what I express in words, often combining them, for behind all my pictures lies a story. These narratives, some as short as a single image and others as long as a novel, are the heart and soul of my work.
Pictures tell stories. Wherever I go, I'm surrounded by natural beauty, exciting people, and history. I use my camera to document the world and blend what I see with what I feel to capture the hidden magic.
My images tell my stories. Through my pictures, prints, and narratives, I invite you to partake in these stories in your life and home and share my deeply personal perspective of our world. More than meets the eye. I think in pictures, dream, write, and talk about them; consequently, I must create images too. They become what I see, not necessarily confined to reality. There's a picture around every corner. I hope you'll see what I saw and enjoy it.
I'm also a writer, and many images come with a shorter or longer essay. It accompanies the painting, printed on fine paper with my personal greeting.
Many pictures start their journey on my camera. Simply put, I describe the image I see in my mind, experienced or imagined. The image arises within me even before I bring the eyepiece to my eye. In a fraction of a moment, I see what I want and what can be done with the picture. Here, I'll insert a giraffe, Superman, the Titanic, or whatever my imagination conjures up. Even stranger is that I remember the mental image long after it's time to create the work. Whether I succeed is up to the observer, often imbued with a streak of black humour – the aim is to entertain. My pictures usually become a talking point wherever they hang.
I prefer pictures that convey a message in multiple layers. At first glance, they're filled with feel-good vibes, a beautiful view, lovely weather, the sun shining, flowers in the meadow, or the water lying deceptively calm. But beneath this surface beauty, I often conceal a deeper story, a narrative that challenges societal norms or explores the human condition. I invite you to delve into these hidden narratives and discover the layers of meaning within my work.
Picture and design have been a thread running through my life. Photographic art feels like a fitting finale, and I'm happy to share it.
My genre is varied, as seen in my pictures; the theme is a blend of pop and street art in collages that can consist of hundreds of layers. Some images can take weeks, others just a day before it's time to hand over the result to the print workshop. Fine Art Prints are digital photo collages. In these collages, tearing, cutting, puzzling, painting, drawing, and spraying happen digitally. What I insert can be images hundreds of years old that I carefully extract so they appear to be part of the painting, but also images created by myself, now also generated from my imagination. Next, visit the print studio and, for certain images, number a limited edition (usually 7 copies) and sign them by hand. Some images may be available in other formats. Just ask which ones. If you like an image that's 70x100 but doesn't have space on the wall, you might be able to get it in 50x70 cm instead. The question is open.
The Giclée method, or Fine Art Print as it's also called, is the modern way of producing graphic art. This method ensures the highest quality and longevity of the artwork, using a high-quality large-format printer with archival pigment inks and artist paper or, in some cases, canvas. The paper used meets the longevity requirements set by museums and galleries. I sell my pictures unframed, allowing the new owner to personalise their artwork, confident in the lasting value and quality of the piece.
For many years, I only exhibited online, in selected groups, and on my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/jorgen.thornberg.9. I also have my website, which unfortunately is not constantly updated - https://www.jth.life/. You can also read some of the stories accompanying the pictures there.
EXHIBITIONS
Luftkastellet, October 2022
Art in Lund, November 2022
Luftkastellet, March 2023
Engleson Gallery Caroli, April 2023
Hydra, Greece June 2023
Engleson Gallery Caroli, October 2023
Toppen, Höllviken December 2023
Luftkastellet, March 2024
Torup Gallery, March 2024
Venice, May 2024
UTSTÄLLNINGAR
Luftkastellet, oktober 2022
Konst i Lund, november 2022
Luftkastellet, mars 2023
Engleson Galleri Caroli, april 2023
Hydra, Greece June 2023
Engleson Galleri Caroli, oktober 2023
Toppen, Höllviken december 2023
Luftkastellet, mars 2024
Torups Galleri, mars 2024
Venice, May 2024
Luftkastellet, October 2024
Konst i Advent, December 2024
Galleri Engleson, Caroli December 2024
Jäger & Jansson Galleri, April 2025
Utbildning
Autodidakt
Medlem i konstnärsförening
Öppna Sinnen
Med i konstrunda
Konstrundan i Skåne
Utställningar
Luftkastellet, October 2022
Art in Lund, November 2022
Luftkastellet, March 2023
Engleson Gallery Caroli, April 2023
Hydra, Greece June 2023
Engleson Gallery Caroli, October 2023
Toppen, Höllviken December 2023
Luftkastellet, March 2024
Torup Gallery, March 2024
Venice, May 2024